OTTAWA -- The federal government has unveiled its chosen site for Canada's new National Holocaust Monument.

The monument will be located near downtown Ottawa, just down the road from Parliament Hill and across the street from the National War Museum, where the announcement was made.

Tim Uppal, the minister of state for democratic reform, calls the memorial a testament to the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust.

"This central location will attract a large number of visitors. It will encourage people to reflect upon the events of the Holocaust, remember the victims, and pay tribute to the survivors," Uppal said.

"It will also encourage people to reflect on the responsibilities each of us has to protect human rights and dignities."

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney was also on hand for the announcement.

"The Holocaust stands alone in the annals of human history for its systematic cruelty and for the brutal murder of six million innocent Jewish men, women and children," Kenney said.

"It is essential that we never forget the lessons of the past and continue to educate future generations about the unique horror of the Holocaust.

This important monument is one way that we can do so."

"The National Holocaust Monument Development Council has undertaken the important task of ensuring that this monument be built," said council chairman Rabbi Dan Friedman.

"There is a clear understanding that this monument is a testament to every Canadian who believes in standing up for tolerance and human rights."

No details about the design of the monument, which is scheduled to be completed by 2015, have been released.

Canada is committed to Holocaust remembrance, education and research, said Kenney, noting that former Liberal MP Mario Silva is chairman of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2013-14.

The alliance is an intergovernmental body made up of government officials and experts from 31 countries that's devoted to fostering and promoting Holocaust education, remembrance and research around the world.

"Canada will work with all alliance member countries to implement an ambitious, multi-year work plan that includes research into Holocaust killing sites outside of major death camps, the development of educational resources for teachers, and strengthened relationships with international partners," Silva said last month.

Vincent Reynouard:I am a French revisionist. I expose revisionist arguments in the most pedagogical way possible. I propose, I expose, I do not impose.
Everyone must (or should) be free to form an opinion on the subject.

GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 24, 2013 — The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and the Honourable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the six teams that were chosen as finalists in a national design competition to create concepts for the future National Holocaust Monument, which will be built in the heart of Canada's capital, at the corner of Booth and Wellington streets, near the Canadian War Museum.

"The future National Holocaust Monument will honour the Canadian victims and survivors of the Holocaust," said Minister Glover. "Canada is an extraordinary, welcoming country, and we are all responsible for ensuring that the Holocaust continues to have a permanent place in our national consciousness and memory."

"Canada remembers the suffering of the millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust," said Minister Baird. "This monument will preserve their memory and also educate visitors of all faiths and traditions about the causes and risks of hate. I am proud that this memorial will stand at the heart of our country, right here in the nation's capital."

A Call for Qualifications was launched in May 2013, inviting teams of professional artists, architects, landscape architects and other design professionals to submit their credentials and examples of prior work at the first stage of a two-phase national design competition. Teams had to be led by a Canadian citizen. International candidates were, however, deemed eligible as team members.

Ministers Glover and Baird said they were pleased with the high calibre of the teams—which shows the importance of the project—and look forward to seeing the inspiring design ideas they will present.

The jury, made up of internationally renowned art and design professionals, a representative from the National Holocaust Monument Development Council and a Holocaust survivor, chose the following six teams as finalists:

The teams will spend the next few months developing their designs, which will be presented to the National Holocaust Monument jury in the winter of 2014. Prior to the jury selection, a public exhibition of the models will take place, at which members of the public will have the opportunity to meet the artists and share their opinions on each design. Their comments will be compiled and shared with the jury.